This was one of the hardest races that I have ever done. Last year I did the 25K in 2:04 so I figured I could do this race right at 5 hrs. The big difference though was that last year the temperature was 46 at start time and this year it was over 70.

I started out at a fairly easy pace, averaging in the mid 9:30s and taking quick 30 second stops at the aid stations. The first lap went by fairly quickly and before I knew it the turn around was in sight. I felt pretty good at this point so I started my next lap after a 3 min break.

The first 4 miles of the second lap to the next aid station were uneventful although I did take a couple of planned 30 second walk breaks. By the time I got to the aid station I was starting to feel the effects of the heat. The next leg between the two aid stations was a long stretch on the jeep road where I would run for a while and then take a short walk break.

After the 2nd aid station I began the stretch that really did me in. It was a gradual climb alongside a stand of trees that burned in a brush fire so there was very little shade. This was also about the time that it began to get very hot. By the time I got back into the woods, I was really overheating. The rest of the race consisted of running for a short distance (less than 1/2 mile), then walking for a bit. The top of my right foot / lower right leg was hurting pretty bad but especially whenever I started running or starting walking. Also, I got to the point where it didn't feel like my stomach was emptying. Eventually, I just took my fuel belt off and carried it to give by stomach some relief.

After the last aid station, I had less than 3 miles to go. This section took forever but finally, I turned a corner and was at the Nature Center less than a mile from the finish.



Not really sure. The high temp and humidity played such a major roll that its hard to separate the difficulty that caused from anything else. Also this was my first time going longer than 26.2 so I have nothing to compare against. I do have to say that I felt 10x more beat up after this race than my marathon 6 weeks before.

Drank a little and then promptly crashed on our picnic blanket. Also took a moment to remove the tick stuck on the side of my knee.


Mostly the heat


ETUR does a great job putting on this race. This was my fourth year running here and I plan to continue to include this on my race calendar, either doing the 25K or the 50K.